President May 2017
Introduction This specification should be read in conjunction with information on the s website http://wwwen.uni.lu/. The intends to appoint a new President. This person will be committed to its mission, an accomplished strategic thinker and communicator, and an infectious optimist about the future of the University. The President will be constructive, engaged, and supportive and a source of counsel to his or her Executive Team. The aspires to be one of Europe s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international, multilingual and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. This is the beginning of the s vision statement - and it is at the same time part of Luxembourg s vision as a country investing in knowledge, research and innovation. The University is the motor of the national system of knowledge and innovation: it has 6,153 enrolled students, and some 1,770 staff, including 250 academics, from all over the globe. It has partnerships with 78 universities worldwide, and these inform the character of the University. In addition, bachelor students study at least one semester abroad; cross-border, bi- or tri-national bachelor and master degrees are part of the offer; and some 650 PhD candidates work towards a PhD degree, including some students which will be obtaining a joint or double PhD degree. Today, after over ten years of intense effort, the University is: An internationally relevant research University It has three academic faculties devoted to first-rate teaching and research: the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication; the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance; and the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education. It also has three interdisciplinary centres, which foster research excellence and knowledge transfer: the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) and the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH). Students are drawn from 115 countries, and academic staff from over 20 countries. English, French and German are all used at the University. This underscores its position at the heart of Europe, as does the presence of secondees from European institutions. In 2015, the raised 43 million of external research funds derived from funds of the European Union, the National Research Fund of Luxembourg, endowed chairs, industry and other partners. In the same year, its researchers published a total of 1,139 scientific 1 of 8
works. With 282 PhD degrees awarded, doctoral research contributes strongly to the research output as well. Interdisciplinarity is gradually becoming a dominant feature of research activity. Exemplary of this are three interdisciplinary centres (SnT, LCSB and C2DH), a FNR PEARL grant combining chairs in Sociology and Economics, the chair funded by satellite operator SES in Space law, as well as cross-disciplinary teaching modules for our students. A University well connected to the society and to the business of Luxembourg, contributing to the country s future The University is also engaged in the social sciences. It is home to UNESCO Chair in Human Rights. It also hosts a large number of conferences, lectures, and debates open to the general public and a summer university for secondary school pupils. It carries out contract work for different ministries and several research projects are supported by a variety of organisations. Partnership with the business world has played a major role in the University s development. It now has eight chairs. Several banks (such as Deutsche Bank) as well as several companies (such as Arcelor-Mittal) finance research. Many of the MA students and PhD candidates undertake their thesis in close collaboration with an industrial or business partner, and are often cofinanced by the company. The University has 860 adjunct staff involved in teaching, with many coming from the business world. Fourteen years after its foundation, the is an internationally relevant European research university. Its particular dynamism comes from its highly motivated academics and their pioneering spirit. The University conducts both fundamental and applied research. This supports both economic and social innovation in Luxembourg. The Grand-Duchy has all the elements required for a knowledgebased society: a highly qualified workforce; access to capital; and access to a network of public and private research institutions. These interactions contribute to a permanent transfer of knowledge to the economy and society. 2
Summary The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the University. He or she will have authority derived from a successful research career. To this, he or she will add proven skills as the leader of a complex academic organisation. The President will have a clear vision for the University and the ability to communicate it in a compelling fashion to internal and external audiences. He or she will be a gifted builder and developer of people and teams and cultivate an atmosphere of collective endeavour and mutual support. Critical to success will be an openness to people from a variety of cultures. The President will possess an ease and comfort in working in a way that values the full range of academic systems and traditions on which the draws. This engagement with people as the University s greatest asset will extend to colleagues and students at all levels and stages. The Role The President is responsible for the strategy formulation, academic affairs and successful operation of the institution, and leads the University under the overall guidance of the Board of Governors. Reporting to the Board of Governors, the President will successfully navigate the opportunities and challenges envisaged in the coming years, following a first decade of highly effective development. These challenges include, but are not limited to, the further development of the campus of the University; the continued development of the University s academic and administrative capabilities in the context of moderate budgetary growth; the development of a comprehensive quality assurance system for all the University s activities; and the development of medical education. In terms of specific responsibilities, the President: Develops and oversees the general policy and the strategy of the University; Proposes the annual budget of the University; Oversees the design and operation of sub-structures of the University; Is responsible for the design and delivery of teaching programmes and research areas; Has ultimate management responsibility for all University staff; Appoints and manages the members of the Rectorate (three vice-rectors, one director of administration); Represents the University to external partners and in society; Liaises with local, regional and international academic, political and societal representatives. 3
Skills & Experience The President will be an accomplished academic, with a strong personal track record; He or she will have experience of working in or with several different university systems; He or she will bring substantial experience of the management (both financial and in wider administrative terms) of a complex higher education institution; He or she will be committed to international partnership, with experience of building and nurturing such relationships; He or she will have experience of, and a strong commitment to, fund-raising on a large scale; Candidates will have confirmed proficiency in both English and French. Competencies The successful candidate will possess: Leading Teams Experience of managing a large scale, complex organisation, with the ability to hire outstanding people, delegate, establish boundaries, and further an environment of collegiality; Demonstrable experience in identifying and removing barriers to the creation of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive working environment; The ability to be an integrating factor for the whole University and foster the development of all its components, open to interdisciplinary approaches; Exceptional management skills of people, finances and systems, with a proven capacity to motivate and lead an multi-disciplinary management team to achieve organisational goals; Team-building ability, the capacity to instill a culture that values measurable achievement, mutual support, and compliance with organisational processes A facilitative approach that enables effective delivery with and through colleagues. Setting Strategy Strength of purpose and vision with a track record of devising and delivering innovation, transformation, and change, while respecting tradition in a complex environment and through successful consensus-building; A strong analytical mind and the ability to grasp the nature and direction of the University s strategy and help shape it in the future; The capacity to work collaboratively with the Board in the development and articulation of the University s vision and on its translation into tangible results and longer term impact; Executing for Results A clear focus on organisational goals amid multiple competing risks and demands, and a capacity to prioritise effectively in order to deliver results; 4
An ability to make difficult decisions when required on organisational development, balanced by experience in constructive engagement with staff on change management processes and their value to the organisation as a whole; Understanding of and an ability to lead strategically on resource mobilisation activities. Relationships and Influence Experience as the senior ambassador of a major institution, including representing a variety of views and opinions fairly and delivering compelling and inspiring speeches for internal and local, national, and international audiences; Understanding of the relevance of the University for the country; Strong public-speaking and influencing skills; Presence, gravitas, and empathy; An ability to engage and operate effectively at the highest political levels. Other Relevant Information The President is chosen by the Board of Governors, the University Council having been heard, and is then appointed by the Government. The mandate of the President is for five years and is renewable. The start of term is latest 1 January 2018. The University offers a competitive and appropriate salary, part of which is performance-based. 5
How to Apply To apply, please send a full CV together with a supporting statement, briefly highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role, to responses@russellreynolds.com including the reference number 1705-031L and the job role in the subject title. All applications will be acknowledged. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 23rd June 2017. Contact Simon Kingston Russell Reynolds Associates Almack House, 28 King Street London SW1Y 6QW +44 20 7830 8089 simon.kingston@russellreynolds.com Sara Vermeir Russell Reynolds Associates Boulevard St.-Michel 27 1040 Brussels Belgium +32 2 743 12 66 sara.vermeir@russellreynolds.com 6